The plans would require councils to issue warning notices to schools in which standards drop significantly or attainment levels are considered unacceptably low, even if Ofsted does not grade the school as inadequate. Schools considered to be "coasting" persistently could be issued with warning notices if they fail to prove to local authorities that they are trying to improve.

The consultation also suggests extending the government's power to intervene if local authorities are not fulfilling their duty to promote high standards in schools. This would mean children's secretary Ed Balls could scrap boards of governors at schools that have warning notices but are not improving quickly enough.

Changes to the legislation on schools causing concern will form part of an Education and Skills Bill due to be introduced in the 2008/09 session of Parliament.

Closing date 25 September

www.cypnow.co.uk/resources/policy.